Responding when it matters most: Dolphin Sands bushfire
Bushfires place enormous strain on communities, emergency services and critical infrastructure. In Dolphin Sands, bushfires caused significant damage and disruption in December 2025, with homes lost and uncertainty weighing heavily on residents and responders alike.
While Tasmania’s electricity network is built to withstand extreme weather, it will always be vulnerable to bushfire. TasNetworks’ role is to restore supply as quickly and safely as conditions allow.
As soon as it was safe to do so, TasNetworks crews worked closely with emergency services to assess damage and plan restoration.
Local crews provided real-time information from the ground, while teams across the business mobilised to support the response.
“Everyone leans in during emergencies like this.”
"From the crews on the ground to the teams supporting them behind the scenes, there’s a shared focus on doing what’s needed to support the community safely," said Pat Carroll, Leader Overhead Distribution South.
Once access was possible, crews encountered extensive damage to the electricity network. Over 50 power poles had been destroyed or severely damaged, with sections requiring full rebuilds rather than simple repairs. Burnt poles, tangled conductors and unstable ground conditions required careful assessment at every step.
”Safety was at the centre of every decision. Crews were working in smoke, ash and unstable environments, constantly reassessing risks before moving forward,” Pat said.
Lineworkers and trades crews travelled from across the state to support the response, alongside traffic control, civil and powerline contractors. Apprentices were also on site, working alongside experienced crew members and learning firsthand in a highly controlled, safety-focused environment.
“As unfortunate as the situation was, it was a really valuable learning experience for me,” said Tristan, Apprentice Lineworker. “Connecting and working alongside crews from other depots was a great opportunity, and it was impressive to see how everyone pulled together under pressure.”
“The conditions were tough. I was still cleaning dust and dirt out of my ears days later. But everyone stayed focused and motivated under trying circumstances.”
Behind the scenes, teams across TasNetworks provided essential support, from safety and environment, engineering advice to customer updates, materials supply and crew logistics.
Rebuilding and replacing the damaged infrastructure required long days, technical skill and strong coordination.
Crews worked through heat, wind, ash, and (surprisingly) heavy rain, navigating hazardous damage such as poles that were completely burnt yet still standing.
Despite the challenging conditions and extended hours, the work was completed without incident.
“Several poles damaged from this event have been replaced with modern fibreglass and concrete poles, providing better fire resistance in the future. Since bushfires in previous years, many of the poles in Dolphin Sands were wrapped in fire-resistant mesh, which helped save some of the infrastructure and limited the impact overall,” Pat said.